Drone based delivery system using vehicles

ABSTRACT

A method for determining a route for a drone to deliver a package from an origin to a destination using vehicles that are not actively participating in a delivery of a package; a method for delivering the package from the origin to the destination using the drone in accordance with the route; a method for determining a route for delivering a package from an origin to a destination using drones and vehicles that are not actively participating in a delivery of the package; a method for delivering the package from the origin to the destination using the drones and vehicles in accordance with the route; a vehicle-associated package repository, for retaining packages deposited and collect by a drone, to be transported by a vehicle; and a vehicle-transported container including the vehicle-associated package repository.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No.62/405,275 filed Oct. 7, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety, without giving rise to disavowment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to delivery systems in general, and todrone based delivery systems, in particular.

BACKGROUND

Drone technology is growing increasingly popular, as daily uses fordrones become more mainstream. From delivering packages to deliveringmedical aids, drones are now a part of our everyday lives.

Package delivery such as delivery of parcels, or high value mail assingle shipments, is a service that is provided by most postal systems,express mail, private courier companies, or the like. Advanced deliverysystem has recently started using delivery drones to perform the packagedelivery. Such drones may be unmanned aerial vehicles utilized totransport packages, parcels, food or other goods, eliminating both waittimes and the cost of human labor.

With the rapid demise of snail mail and the explosive growth ofe-commerce, postal companies have been forced to seek new ways to expandbeyond their traditional letter delivery business models. Given theonline consumer expectation of fast parcel delivery, different postalservice companies around the world started using drones to deliver theirparcels.

Drones are further used to transport medicines and vaccines, andretrieve medical samples, into and out of remote or inaccessibleregions. As an example, “Ambulance drones” are used to rapidly deliverdefibrillators in the crucial few minutes after cardiac arrests, andinclude livestream communication capability allowing paramedics toremotely observe and instruct on-scene individuals in how to use thedefibrillators.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a methodcomprising: obtaining a delivery data of a package to be transported bya drone, wherein the delivery data comprises an origin and a destinationof the package; obtaining a schedule of a plurality of vehicles, whereinthe schedule comprises a schedule of each vehicle of the plurality ofvehicles, wherein one or more vehicles of the plurality of vehicles iscapable of transporting the drone thereon; determining, based on thedelivery data and the schedule, a route for the drone to deliver thepackage, wherein the route begins at the origin, wherein the route endsat the destination, wherein the route comprises a plurality of legs,wherein in accordance with the route in a first portion of the pluralityof legs the drone is planned to fly, and wherein in each leg of a secondportion of the plurality of legs the drone is planned to ride on adifferent vehicle; and providing the route to the drone, whereby thedrone delivers the package while performing the plurality of legs.

Optionally, the vehicles of the plurality of vehicles are not activelyparticipating in a delivery of the package, wherein each vehicle of theplurality of vehicles is performing another task that is independentfrom the delivery of the package.

Optionally, the route comprises a first leg, a second leg and a thirdleg, wherein in accordance with the route the first leg immediatelyprecedes the second leg and the second leg immediately precedes thethird leg; wherein in the first leg, the drone is planned to betransported by a first vehicle; wherein in the second leg, the drone isplanned to fly from the first vehicle to a second vehicle, wherein inthe third leg, the drone is planned to be transported by the secondvehicle.

Optionally, the second leg, the drone is planned to make a stop at astationary location after flying off from the first vehicle and beforeflying on to the second vehicle.

Optionally, the drone is planned to utilize at least a portion of thevehicles for charging a power source of the drone.

Optionally, said determining is further performed based on an initialenergy level of a power source of the drone, based on expected powerconsumption of the drone at each leg, and based on expected charging ofthe power source at each leg, whereby the route is planned so as to befeasible for the drone in view of energy available to the drone.

Optionally, said determining is further performed based on weatherconditions, whereby the route is planned so as the drone is planned toride on a vehicle when a weather condition prevents the drone fromflying.

Optionally, the delivery data comprises characteristics of the drone,wherein said determining is further based on the characteristics of thedrone.

Optionally, the delivery data comprises characteristics of the package,wherein said determining is further based on the characteristics of thepackage.

Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a methodfor delivering a package from an origin to a destination using a drone,wherein the method comprising: obtaining a route for the drone todeliver the package, wherein the route begins at the origin, wherein theroute ends at the destination, wherein the route comprises a pluralityof legs, wherein in accordance with the route in a first portion of theplurality of legs the drone is planned to fly, wherein in each leg ofthe first portion of the plurality of legs, the drone is planned to flyfrom an initial waypoint to a target waypoint, wherein in each leg of asecond portion of the plurality of legs the drone is planned to ride ona different vehicle; and repeatedly flying the drone in accordance withthe first portion of the plurality of legs, wherein in each leg of thefirst portion of the plurality of legs, the drone is being flown from afirst landing location to a second landing location, wherein the firstlanding location is located at the initial waypoint of the each leg,wherein the second landing location is located at the target waypoint ofthe each leg, wherein at least one landing location is associated with avehicle, wherein the drone is transported by the vehicle in accordancewith a leg of the second portion of the plurality of legs.

Optionally, the vehicles of the plurality of vehicles are not activelyparticipating in a delivery of the package, wherein each vehicle of theplurality of vehicles is performing another task that is independentfrom the delivery of the package.

Optionally, the route comprises a first leg, a second leg and a thirdleg, wherein the first leg immediately precedes the second leg, whereinthe second leg immediately precedes the third leg, wherein in the firstleg, the drone is transported by a first vehicle from an initialwaypoint of the first leg to a target waypoint of the first leg; whereinin the second leg, the drone is not transported by any vehicle and isset to fly from an initial waypoint of the second leg located on thefirst vehicle to a target waypoint of the second leg located on a secondvehicle; wherein in the third leg, the drone is transported from aninitial waypoint of the third leg to a target waypoint of the third legby the second vehicle.

Optionally, during executing the second leg, the drone stops at astationary location after leaving the initial waypoint of the second legand before reaching the target waypoint of the second leg.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is amethod comprising: obtaining a delivery data of a package, wherein thedelivery data comprises an origin and a destination of the package;obtaining a schedule of a plurality of vehicles, wherein the schedulecomprises a schedule of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles,wherein each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles is capable oftransporting a package that is deposited and collected autonomously byone or more autonomous drones without intervention of the vehicle orperson riding thereon, wherein vehicles of the plurality of vehicles arenot actively participating in a delivery of the package, wherein eachvehicle of the plurality of vehicles is performing another task that isindependent from the delivery of the package; determining, based on theschedule, a route for delivering the package; wherein the route beginsat the origin; wherein the route ends at the destination, wherein theroute comprises a plurality of legs; wherein in each leg of a firstportion of the plurality of legs, the package is planned to betransported by a different drone; wherein in each leg of a secondportion of the plurality of legs, the package is planned to betransported on a different vehicle; wherein the plurality of legscomprises a first leg, a second leg and a third leg; wherein in thefirst leg, the package is planned to be transported by a first drone toa vehicle; wherein in the second leg, the package is planned to betransported on the vehicle; wherein in the third leg, the package isplanned to be transported from the vehicle by a second drone.

Optionally, the first drone and the second drone are different drones,wherein each different drone is local to a different area.

Optionally, the different drones are adapted in capabilities for thedifferent areas.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is amethod for a delivery of a package from an origin to a destination,wherein the method comprising: obtaining a route for the delivery of thepackage; wherein the route begins at the origin; wherein the rout endsat the destination; wherein the route comprises a plurality of legs,each of which beginning at an initial waypoint and ending at a targetwaypoint; wherein in each leg of a first portion of the plurality oflegs, the package is planned to be transported by a different drone;wherein in each leg of a second portion of the plurality of legs, thepackage is planned to be transported on a different vehicle;transporting the package in accordance with the route; wherein in eachleg of the first portion of the plurality of legs, the package is beingtransported by a different drone from an initial waypoint to a targetwaypoint; wherein, for each leg of the first portion, at least onewaypoint that is selected from the initial waypoint of the each leg andthe target waypoint of the each leg, is located on a vehicle; whereinthe vehicle is not actively participating in a delivery of the package,wherein the package is transported on the vehicle in accordance with aleg of the second portion of the plurality of legs.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is avehicle-associated package repository, wherein the vehicle-associatedpackage repository comprising: an opening, wherein said opening isadapted in size and shape to allow depositing and collecting of apackage by a drone; and a storage compartment, wherein said storagecompartment is adapted in size and shape to retain a plurality ofpackages, wherein said storage compartment is configured to storepackages deposited via said opening; wherein said vehicle-associatedpackage repository is transported by a vehicle.

Optionally, the vehicle-associated package repository furthercomprising: a displacement component, wherein said displacementcomponent is adapted in size and shape to move one or more packages fromsaid opening to said storage compartment upon package deposit, and fromsaid storage compartment to said opening upon package collection.

Optionally, said opening is located on a top of the vehicle-associatedpackage repository, whereby allowing the drone to collect or deposit thepackage from the top of the vehicle, when said vehicle-associatedpackage repository is mounted on or integrated with the vehicle.

Optionally, said vehicle-associated package repository is selectivelymountable on the vehicle, wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is removable from the vehicle.

Optionally, said vehicle-associated package repository is mountable on apart of the vehicle selected from the group consisting of: a drivercabin of the vehicle, a cargo area of the vehicle and a removablecontainer carried by the vehicle.

Optionally, a height of said vehicle-associated package repository, whenmounted on the vehicle, does not exceed a predetermined height thresholddefined by a structure of the vehicle.

Optionally, said vehicle-associated package repository is integratedwith said vehicle.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is avehicle-transported container comprising said vehicle-associated packagerepository and a container compartment, wherein said vehicle-associatedpackage repository is integrated with said vehicle-transportedcontainer.

Optionally, said vehicle-associated package repository is positionedabove said container compartment, wherein a total height of saidvehicle-transported container is of a standard height of a standardvehicle-transported container, wherein the container compartment is of aheight below a standard height of a container compartment of thestandard vehicle-transported container.

THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosed subject matter will be understood and appreciatedmore fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings in which corresponding or like numerals or charactersindicate corresponding or like components. Unless indicated otherwise,the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosureand do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A-1D show flowchart diagrams of methods, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 2A-2B show schematic illustrations of a map and a route schedule,in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter;

FIGS. 3A-3B show schematic illustrations of a map and a route schedule,in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary environment inwhich the disclosed subject matter may be utilized, in accordance withsome exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIGS. 5A-5C show schematic illustrations of vehicles utilized by thedisclosed subject matter, in accordance with some exemplary embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter; and

FIGS. 6A-6B show schematic illustrations of repositories, in accordancewith some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is toimprove drone based delivery. In particular, increasing the range of thedrone based delivery system is desired, so as to not be limited by thelimited range of the drones themselves. In some cases, increasingdelivery capacity of the drone based system may be desired, such as toenable delivery of more parcels at a given time window. In some cases,the capacity is limited due to the flight speed of the drones used bythe system. Additionally, or alternatively, the capacity is limited bythe fact that a drone is associated with a parcel for the entiredelivery task thereof.

With the growing use of drones for the delivery of packages, a pluralityof problems with this method of delivery has been raised. One problem isthe limitation on the range the drone can carry a package. The range ofthe drone may be effected by the weight of the carried package. Theheavier the package, the shorter is the distance that the drone is ableto fly carrying it. Furthermore, the drones may use a rechargeable powersource, such as a battery. The maximum power capacity of therechargeable power source may set a constraint on the drone's range.Though recharging may be possible for the drone mid-way, stopping forcharging will generally delay delivery of the package.

Another technical problem is providing a drone-based delivery systemthat is capable of widespread delivery to various locations, given thatdrones may not be allowed to operate in every place. As an example, somefederal laws prohibit commercial drones from flying over populatedareas, over non-participating individuals, or the like. As anotherexample, drones may not be allowed to fly near airplanes, in thevicinity of airports, or the like. Additional limitations on theoperation of drones may exist. For example, there may be limitations onthe times in which drones can be used, such as not be allowed to flyduring night time, during twilight, or the like. As an additionalexample, the drones may not be permitted to operate during specificweather conditions, such as high winds, bad visibility, fog, rain, snow,icy conditions, or the like.

Yet another technical problem is to utilize vehicles that have apredefined task without causing them to go out of their way or do anyadditional work. A lot of vehicles, such as trucks, buses, trains, orthe like, travel for long predetermined routes. Such vehicles may havepredetermined schedules and routes. Additionally or alternatively,accurate routes and schedules of such vehicles may be known using routeprediction with using Global Positioning System (GPS) data of thevehicles or computing devices associated with the vehicles, such asGPS-based navigation system utilized by the drivers. The vehicles may bedesignated to perform a task such as transporting passengers,transporting goods, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the taskperformed by each vehicle is not be affected by such utilization. Thevehicles and the users of the vehicles, such as drivers, passengers, orthe like, may not even be aware that the vehicle is being utilized foran additional task.

The vehicles may be a resource that can be utilized and is currently notbeing fully exploited. In some cases, rooftops of the vehicles areresources that are not being utilized at all, or only to a short degree.

In some exemplary embodiments, such vehicles may be members of one ormore fleets. Each fleet may be managed by a fleet manager or transportmanager, such as using fleet management software, manual fleetmanagement, or any other management tool. The management tool mayprovide for a known schedule of each vehicle. The known schedule mayinclude, for example, a planned location of each vehicle at differenttime points, a route of each vehicle, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, vehicles may be connected to a fleet telematics systemthat may provide updated and accurate information regarding the vehicleduring the movement thereof. In particular, the real-time location ofthe vehicle may be tracked.

One technical solution is to utilize the roofs of the vehicles aslanding pads for package delivery drones, without changing the originalroute of the vehicles. In some exemplary embodiments, roofs of vehicles,such as trucks, buses, trains, or the like, are generally flat andsignificantly larger than the average size of a drone. As a result, suchroofs may be suitable for drones to land thereon. Landing pads may beattached, either permanently or temporarily, thereon. Furthermore,vehicles can drive for long distances, are not limited to drive incertain time frames or in specific areas, and accordingly may assist thedrones in reaching locations that the drones are limited or prohibitedfrom accessing. The drones may ride on the vehicles to increase theireffective range, reach prohibited locations, transport packages inconditions that prevent or prohibit from the drone to fly, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a landing pad for drones may be placed onthe roof of a vehicle. A drone may be able to land on and takeoff thelanding pad without affecting the movement of the vehicle. Additionallyor alternatively, takeoff and landing may be performed when the vehiclestops, such as during scheduled stops, at junctions, at red lights, atstop signs, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may beconfigured to connect to the system of the vehicle, such as a cruisecontrol system, a navigation system, a messaging system relayingnotifications to the driver, or the like, in order to get informationregarding nearby or planned stops, or to request the vehicle to stop forlanding, or the like. The vehicle may stop to allow the drone to landwithout changing the original route of the vehicle. As an example, thedrone may request a public transportation bus to stop at a next station,similarly to a request by a passenger who may press an on-board button.As another example, the drone may request the vehicle to momentarilystop at a near-by location, such as a parking spot, a bus station, aside of the road, or the like, even if such a stop cannot be requestedby a passenger. The vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle that iscontrolled by a control system which may enforce the requested stop.Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle may be a manned vehicle whosedriver may honor the request. In some exemplary embodiments, mannedvehicles may utilize control systems, such as cruise control systems,that can be used to enforce the request by limiting the vehicle'sability to continue driving using such control systems, reducing themaximal speed of the vehicle until the request is honored, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the landing pad may be flat, such as witha thickness of up to 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, or the like. The flat landingpad may not significantly add to the vehicle's height.

In some exemplary embodiments, the landing pad may be protected fromwind, rain, or any other conditions that may affect the drone, thelanding of the drone, anchorage of the drone to the landing pad, or thelike. For example, in some cases, the drone may land on the landing padto withstand weather conditions that the drone itself cannot withstand,until such time the weather conditions will change.

In some exemplary embodiments, the landing pad may be utilized torecharge the drone while landing thereon. In some exemplary embodiments,drones may utilize a rechargeable power source. In some exemplaryembodiments, the landing pad may comprise a charger which is used by thedrone for recharging. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone mayconnect to the charger, using a plug, a wire, a wireless connection, orthe like. As an example, the drone may land with one leg on a negativecharging stripe of the landing pad and the other on a positive chargingstripe of the landing pad, completing an electrical circuit that is usedto convey electric energy to the drone for charging. The drone may becharged using energy stored on or produced by the vehicle, such as by abattery of the vehicle, extra electrical power generated by an engine ofthe vehicle, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, solar panelsmay be placed on the roof of the vehicle, and connected to the landingpad to allow re-charging of drones landing thereon. Additionally oralternatively, the drone may be recharged by solar power. In someexemplary embodiments, solar panels may be placed on the wings of thedrone. The solar panels may be utilized to charge the drone while ridingon the vehicle. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may utilize thetime in which it rides the vehicle, and in which it need not fly, forrecharging its power source, and thereby increase its effective rangewithout delaying delivery due to the drone being stationary forcharging.

In some exemplary embodiments, each vehicle may have one or more landingpads of different sizes for different types of drones. Each landing padmay be adapted to one or more types of drones. During landing, the dronemay communicate with the landing pad, such as to retrieve the positionof one another, to enable successful landing and docking. In someexemplary embodiments, each vehicle may have a limited number of landingpads on its top, such as one landing pad, two landing pads, or the like.Once a drone is planned to ride on the vehicle, the drone may reserve alanding pad on the vehicle. The landing pad will not be available forother drones for the relevant part of the route, which is reserved forthe drone. In case the vehicle has more than one landing pad, thevehicle may still be available for other drones to land thereon, untilall the landing pads are reserved. In some cases, the same vehicle maybe used by several drones to ride on, in different parts of thevehicle's journey.

In some exemplary embodiments, a package delivery system in accordancewith the disclosed subject matter may utilize drones and un-relatedvehicles for parcel delivery. In some exemplary embodiments, a drone,during its delivery, may ride on a vehicle. During landing on thevehicle, the drone may be turned off to save energy, and may potentiallyre-charge. Furthermore, by riding on the vehicle, the drone may extendthe effective range in which it can deliver packages. The vehicle maynot be actively participating in a delivery of the package. The vehiclemay be performing another task that is independent from the delivery ofthe package, such as a delivery of other packages, transporting people,or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package delivery system may operatewith companies having fleets of vehicles, such as bus companies, traincompanies, boat fleets, delivery companies, companies utilizing theirown fleet of vehicles for delivery of their own products, or the like.Vehicles of such fleets generally have known routes and their schedulesare predetermined. Additionally or alternatively, private vehicles,having an appropriate roof for placing the landing pad, may be utilized.In some exemplary embodiments, assuming different types of landing padsare used for different types of drones, the types of drones that canland on each vehicle may be retained and used for route computation.

Another technical solution may be to determine a route for a dronedelivering a package, which includes one or more legs in which the dronerides on different vehicles. In some exemplary embodiments, a route fora drone delivering a package from an origin point to a destination pointmay be determined. The route may be determined based on the schedule ofthe vehicles. The route may begin at the origin point and end at thedestination point. In some exemplary embodiments, the package deliverysystem may schedule a route for a drone based on a graph of allpotential legs that the drone may travel. The legs may include flyinglegs in permitted and feasible flying area, riding legs in which thedrone rides a vehicle on top of which the drone can land, or the like. Aroute may be calculated from the graph using a route optimizationalgorithm, such as a shortest path algorithm, Dijkstra's algorithm, orthe like. Characteristics of the drone, such as speed, range of flying,energy status, or the like, may be known to the system, and may beconsidered for determining the route.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may comprise a plurality oflegs. In a first portion of the plurality of legs the drone may beplanned to fly. In a second portion of the plurality of legs the dronemay be planned to ride on a vehicle. In some exemplary embodiments, thedrone may be planned to ride on a different vehicle in each leg of thesecond portion of the plurality of legs. In some exemplary embodiments,the route may be provided to the drone, and the drone may deliver thepackage while performing the plurality of legs.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may be planned to use multiplevehicles in a single route. The drone may wait for the first vehicle toarrive and ride thereon. The first vehicle may transport the drone to asecond stop where the drone can ride a second vehicle to a third stop.Additionally or alternatively, the drone may fly from the second stop toa different location to catch the second vehicle continuing to thedrone's destination. Additionally or alternatively, the location wherethe drone is planned to land on the vehicle or takeoff from the vehiclemay be approximated. In some cases, the drone may wait for a suitableopportunity, such as when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Thecomplete stop may be estimated to occur in bus stops, junctions, trafficlights, stop signs, or the like. However, in some cases, the vehicle maynot stop at the estimated location, and the drone may wait for asuitable opportunity within the proximity of the planned location.Consider, for example, that a bus reaches a junction but need not stopdue to the traffic light showing green light. As another example, a busstop may be skipped due to lack of demand from the passengers. In suchscenarios, the exact location where the drone actually lands on or takesoff from the vehicle may be dynamically determined in view of themovement of the vehicle.

Yet another technical solution is to provide for an optimized route forsingle package delivery. The delivery of the package may be performedusing multiple drones, vehicles or a combination thereof. In someexemplary embodiments, drones may co-operate with vehicles to deliverthe package from an origin to a destination. The drones may be used toput packages on the vehicles, to move packages from one vehicle toanother, to collect packages from vehicles, to deliver packages tolocations that vehicles cannot enter, or the like. The vehicles may beused to transport packages from one waypoint to another, where anotherdrone may collect the package. The vehicles may be utilize to extend therange of delivery, to increase speed of delivery as the speed of thevehicles is likely higher than that of the drones, to cross no-flyzones, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a first drone may collect the packageform the origin and drop the package on a top of a first vehicle. Thefirst vehicle may transport the package to another location, which maypotentially be unreachable to the first drone, such as in a differentcity, different delivery zone, crossing through a no-fly zone,associated with weather conditions in which the drone cannot properlyoperate, or the like. A second drone may collect the package from thefirst vehicle. The second drone may deposit the package on a secondvehicle, to be delivered by the second vehicle to another waypoint. Atthe other waypoint, a third drone may collect the package and so forth.In the last leg, the last drone may drop the package at the destination.

As an example, if a package is sent from New-York City to Rochester inupstate New-York, the package may be collected from its origin by adrone. The drone may deposit the package on a vehicle driving in thedirection of Rochester. Later a different drone in Rochester, maycollect the package, and deliver it to its destination. Additionally oralternatively, the drone may ride on the vehicle from New-York City toRochester, takeoff the vehicle in Rochester and deliver the package tothe destination thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, a central planning agent of the deliverysystem, may co-ordinate between the different drones participating inthe delivery of the package. The central planning agent may have controlon the drones. The central planning agent may plan the delivery routebased on the schedule of the vehicles and the availability of thedrones. Additionally or alternatively, a decentralized co-operatingagent may coordinate between the different drones participating in thedelivery of the package. In some exemplary embodiments, a biddingprocess between agents may be performed to determine potential drones tocarry the package from one waypoint to another. In some exemplaryembodiments, the route selected may be a possible route with the highesttarget function value, such as lowest cost if the participation of thedrone is associated with a cost, shortest time, or the like. It will benoted that the bidding process may relate solely to legs where dronescarry the package. Additionally or alternatively, the bidding processmay relate solely to vehicles, making a reservation on a vehicle fortransporting a package. In some exemplary embodiments, the planning maybe performed by hybrid agents, where the decision regarding one ofdrones or vehicles is centralized, and the decision regarding the otheris decentralized.

A yet another technical solution is to create a vehicle top storagefacility for automatic storage of packages. The storage facility may beadapted for drones to connect thereto for collecting or depositing ofpackages thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facilitymay be constructed as an extension to the vehicle top. The storagefacility may be utilized to store packages. In some cases, the storagefacility may be adapted to retain packages of limited size, such as ofsize up to 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm, 50 cm×50 cm×50 cm, 70 cm×70 cm×70 cm, orthe like. In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facility may befurther used as a landing pad of drones. Additionally or alternatively,a landing pad may be placed on the top of the storage facility. In someexemplary embodiments, the storage facility may be configured toidentify the drone, such as based on a Quick Response (QR) code printedon the drone, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), using a wirelesscommunication protocol, or the like. When a drone arrives to thevehicle, the drone may identify itself and collect a relevant packagefrom the storage facility. Additionally or alternatively, the drone maydrop a package to be stored in the storage facility, land on storagefacility, recharge, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facility may comprise anopening that is adapted in size and shape to allow depositing andcollecting of a package by a drone. The opening may be located on a topof the storage facility in order to allow drones to collect or depositpackages from the top of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, theopening may be positioned in any other location that is accessible tothe drone, such as a back of the vehicle, a side of the vehicle in arelatively top portion thereof (e.g., in the top most ⅔ of the sidewall, at height of about 1.5 meters or higher, or the like). The storagefacility may further comprise a storage compartment. The storagecompartment may be adapted in size and shape to retain a plurality ofpackages. The storage compartment may be configured to store packagesdeposited in the opening.

In some exemplary embodiments, a displacement component within thestorage facility may be utilized to collect packages from drones, or topass packages to drones. The displacement component may be adapted insize and shape to move one or more packages from the opening of thestorage facility to a storage compartment upon package deposit, and thestorage compartment to the opening upon package collection. Afteridentifying a drone willing to deliver a package to the storagedelivery, the displacement component may take the package from the droneand pass it to the storage compartment of the storage facility.Additionally or alternatively, in case a drone is identified to bepermitted to collect a package, the displacement component may pass thepackage from the storage compartment of the storage facility to theopening, whereby the drone can collect the package from the opening.

In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facility may be designed tobe relatively flat in order to minimize the potential adverse effect onthe vehicle's aerodynamics. As a non-limiting example, the height of thestorage facility may be of about 10% of the vehicle's height, about 15%of the vehicle's height, about 20% of the vehicle's height, or the like.In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facility may be designed tobe attached to the vehicle in a manner not affecting or modifying itssilhouette, its external structure or the like. In some exemplaryembodiments, a truck may comprise an open-box bed, to which the storagefacility may be attached, either in a detachable or integral manner. Thestorage facility may be fully comprised by the open-box bed, and accessthereto may be possible from the top of the open-box bed, from withinthe open-box bed, from a side wall of the open-box bed, or the like. Itwill be noted that the storage facility may be of smaller dimensionsthan that of the open-box bed, so as to allow the truck to use theremainder portion of the open-box bed compartment for storage notrelated to the storage facility. For example, the storage facility mayhave a volume of about 25% of the volume of the open-box bedcompartment, reducing the capacity of the truck by about 25%, but stillallowing the remaining about 75% of the volume to be used for thetruck's primary objective.

Additionally or alternatively, the storage facility may be designed tobe attached inside a cargo area of the vehicle, to replace a cargo areaof the vehicle, to use the whole capacity of the vehicle, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the storage facility may be selectivelymountable on the vehicle. The storage facility may be removable from thevehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the storage facility may bemountable on a part of the vehicle, such as a driver cabin of thevehicle, a cargo area of the vehicle, a removable container carried bythe vehicle, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the storagefacility may be integrated with the vehicle or part thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, a landing pad for drones may be placed ona top of the storage facility. The landing pad may be utilized by dronesdepositing packages to the storage facility to ride thereon, torecharge, or the like. The drones may land on the landing pad placed onthe top of the storage facility and take a ride with the vehiclecarrying the storage facility.

A yet another technical solution is a storage facility integrated in avehicle-transported container. In some exemplary embodiments, thestorage facility may be positioned above the container. The height ofthe container along with the storage facility may be as a standardheight of a standard vehicle-transported container. For example, theheight of the container along with the storage facility may be 8 feet 6inches (2.6 m) or 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m). Additionally oralternatively, the dimensions of the container along with the storagefacility may be the same as a conventional standard dimensions of astandard vehicle-transported container, which does not include a storagefacility and generally comprises a single storage compartment used for asingle objective.

One technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter isexpanding the range of delivery of the drone-based delivery system.Drones may have a limited flying range. By landing on vehicles, thedrone may be able to reach larger distances and increase their effectiverange. The packages may be transferred on the vehicles to remotelocations where a different drone may collect them and complete thedelivery. In some exemplary embodiments, the disclosed subject mattermay increase the effective range of the delivery of packages to overcomeno-fly zones. The no-fly zones may comprise legal no-fly zones, wherethe drones are prohibited by a regulatory authority, such as the FederalAviation Administration (FAA), laws, or the like. The no-fly zones maycomprise effective no-fly zones, where the conditions do not effectivelyallow the drones to fly, such as weather conditions. The disclosedsubject matter allows the drone-based delivery to pass through no-flyzones and delivery a package from an origin to a destination, eventhough the route in between passes through one or more no-fly zones.

Another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter is toenable utilization of resources currently unutilized or underutilized.As an example, personal drones can be used on parts of the delivery.Vehicles that are not related to the delivery may be utilized withoutaffecting their designation.

As yet another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subjectmatter is to improve utilization of drones in a delivery system. Thedisclosed subject matter may improve utilization of the dronesthemselves. In addition to improving the effective range of drone-baseddelivery, in a coordinated system, where a package is delivered bydifferent drones in different legs, no drone resources are utilized forthe delivery of the package while the package is being transported by avehicle. As a result, the drones may be utilized at the same time forother tasks, thereby increasing the throughput of each drone comparisonto a system where the drone is tasked with the entire delivery task of apackage.

As yet another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subjectmatter is establishing a business model for the integration between thedrone delivery and the vehicle delivery. Companies owning the vehiclesmay rent roofs of the vehicles and enable delivery of many deliverycompanies. It will be noted that companies having fleets may view therooftops of the vehicles as an under-utilized resource. Currentpotential utilization of such resource may be using it as a cheapadvertising space in view of its limited visibility. The disclosedsubject matter may enable monetization of the rooftops and increasingutilization of such resource, without adversely affecting the fleet.

The disclosed subject matter may provide for one or more technicalimprovements over any pre-existing technique and any technique that haspreviously become routine or conventional in the art.

Additional technical problem, solution and effects may be apparent to aperson of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1A showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter.

On Step 110, an origin and a destination of a drone may be obtained. Insome exemplary embodiments, the drone may be transporting a package froman origin to a destination. In some exemplary embodiments, additionaldata regarding the drone or the package may be obtained, such as theweight and the size of the parcel, deadline of the delivery, energylevel of the drone, capacity of the drone (e.g., the weight the dronecan carry, or the distance the drone can fly with the current energylevel), or the like.

On Step 115, a schedule of a plurality of vehicles may be obtained. Insome exemplary embodiments, the plurality of vehicles may be part of afleet, private vehicles, public transportation vehicles, or the like.The schedule may comprise a schedule of each vehicle of the plurality ofvehicles. In some exemplary embodiments, the vehicles may have knownroutes, with fairy known timing. Additionally or alternatively, theroute and the timing of the vehicles may be predicted using GPS.

In some exemplary embodiments, some vehicles of the fleet may adaptedfor the drone to ride thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, thevehicles may not actively be participating in the delivery of thepackage. Rather, the vehicles may be used by the drone to ride thereonon portions of its route of delivering the package. In some exemplaryembodiments, a landing pad may be placed on the top of each vehicle. Thelanding pad may be used by the drone to land on the top of vehicle.While landing on the top of the vehicle, the drone may shut down to saveenergy. Additionally or alternatively, the drone may recharge usingenergy of the vehicle, using solar energy, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, the drone may replace its battery with a fully chargedbattery available on the landing pad.

In some exemplary embodiments, some of the vehicles may be adapted toprovide a ride for more than one drone. Such vehicle may have more thanone landing pads on their top, may have landing pads adapted to hostmore than one drone, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, asingle vehicle may be adapted to host different types of drones, such asdrones of different designs, drones of different sizes, or the like.

On Step 120, a route may be determined for the drone. The route may bedetermined based on the delivery data and the schedule. The route maybegin at the origin and may end at the destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may comprise a plurality oflegs. Each leg may be a portion of the route starting at a firstwaypoint and ending at a second waypoint. As an example, a route that iscomprised of waypoints A, B, C, and D would contain three legs. Theroute legs would be from A to B, from B to C, and from C to D. A wouldbe the origin of the route and D may be the destination of the route.

In a first portion of the plurality of legs the drone may be planned tofly. In a second portion of the plurality of legs the drone may beplanned to ride on a vehicle. Referring to the previous example, thedrone may be planned to fly from the origin (e.g., waypoint A) towaypoint B. The drone may be planned to ride on a vehicle at waypoint Bto waypoint C. Then the drone may be planned to fly from waypoint C tothe destination (e.g., waypoint D).

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may comprise a first leg, asecond leg and a third leg. The first leg may immediately precede thesecond leg and the second leg may immediately precede the third leg. Inthe first leg, the drone may be planned to be transported by a firstvehicle. In the second leg, the drone may be planned to fly from thefirst vehicle to a second vehicle. In the third leg, the drone may beplanned to be transported by the second vehicle. Additionally oralternatively, in the second leg, the drone may be planned to make astop at a stationary location after flying off from the first vehicleand before flying on to the second vehicle. The drone may make the stopto recharge, collect another package, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may be determined based onadditional limitations, such as an initial energy level of a powersource of the drone, expected power consumption of the drone at eachleg, based on expected charging of the power source at each leg, or thelike. The route may be planned so as to be feasible for the drone inview of energy available to the drone. As an example, in case the powerin the drone is not sufficient to fly in the leg from A to B, the legmay be divided into sub-legs, A to E, E to F, and F to D. The drone maybe planned to fly from A to E, land on a second vehicle from E to F,while saving energy or re-charging; and then fly from E to B where thedrone can catch the vehicle and ride thereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may be provided to the drone.The drone may deliver the package while performing the plurality oflegs.

Referring now to FIG. 1B showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter.

On Step 130, a drone may arrive to a first way point and wait for avehicle to arrive. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may becarrying a package to be delivered from an origin to a destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may have flew from a previousway point to first way point. The previous way point may be the originof the package, a way point where the drone were landing on a landstation on a vehicle, a charging point, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may be flying in accordancewith a predetermined route, such as the route determined on Step 120.

On Step 135, the drone may ride on the arriving vehicle. In someexemplary embodiments, the drone may be configured to identify thearriving vehicle, such as by identifying homing beacons, based on thetiming the arriving vehicles arrives to the first way point, or thelike. As an example, the drone may be configured to ride on the vehiclethat arrives to the first waypoint at a predetermined timing.Additionally or alternatively, the drone may be configured to identifythe arriving vehicle using a camera, a sensor, or the like. The droneand the vehicle may be configured to connect, and therefore identify thevehicle has arrived, by applying a wireless handshaking, pairing, or thelike. Additionally or alternatively, communication between the drone andthe vehicle may be implemented directly or through a third party, suchas through the cloud, where the drone communicates (either directly orindirectly) with a server connectable via the Internet and the servercommunicates with the vehicle (either directly or indirectly) via theInternet, and vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, the location ofthe vehicle may be provided using a GPS-based system tracking thevehicle's location and notifying the drone upon the arrival of thevehicle to the target waypoint. At such time, the drone may beconfigured to identify the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles that arelocated at the proximate location indicated by the GPS-based system. Insome exemplary embodiments, the GPS-based system may utilize anylocation modules in addition to or instead of GPS.

On Step 140, the drone may land on a landing pad of the vehicle andre-charge its battery. In some exemplary embodiments, the landing padmay be located on the top of the arriving vehicle. The landing pad maybe conformed to the drone to land thereon. The drone may be turned offduring landing on the landing pad to save energy. In some exemplaryembodiments, the landing pad may be equipped with a charger that thedrone can connect to and recharge. The charger may supply energy to thedrone form a running engine of the vehicle, an alternator of thevehicle, a rechargeable battery placed on the landing pad, or the like.Additionally or alternatively, the drone may be solar powered and mayrecharge using solar panels placed on the top of the vehicle.

It may be appreciated that the vehicle may not be actively participatingin a delivery system of the package. The vehicle may be performinganother task that is independent from the delivery of the package.

On Step 145, the drone may get off the vehicle at a second way point. Insome exemplary embodiments, the vehicle may continue driving withoutbeing affected by the drone riding or leaving it. The drone may wait foradditional vehicle to arrive and land thereon. Additionally oralternatively, the drone may fly to a third waypoint and wait there forthe additional vehicle to arrive.

In some exemplary embodiments, due to dynamic considerations, the dronemay deviate from the originally planned route. As an example, if thevehicle stumbles heavy traffic, which was not expected, the drone maychange its route. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may request acentral server for a modified route in real-time, or may plan themodified route itself. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may takeoff from the jammed vehicle and fly to a different vehicle, to a nextwaypoint, or the like, so as to avoid being adversely affected by theheavy traffic.

Referring now to FIG. 1C showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter.

On Step 150, an origin and a destination of a package may be obtained.In some exemplary embodiments, the package may be planned to bedelivered from the origin to the destination. The package may containfood, goods, medicines, lightweight commercial products, letters, or thelike. In some exemplary embodiments, the package may be of limitedweight that the drone can carry, such as up to 10 pounds, 15 pounds, 20pounds, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the package may beof limited size, such as up to 50×30×20 cm³, 40×40×40 cm³, or the like;of a predefined shape, such as a flat box, or the like; such as to beadapted to be transported by a drone. It will be noted that the packagedelivered by the drone may be a container of a predefined shape and sizemay be utilized to store one more delivered items of varying sizes,while being carried by the drone. The package may be adapted in size andshape to be carried by the drone, such as a plastic or cardboard boxthat can fit. As an example, AMAZON™ may use a standard size containerfor all its products that are to be delivered by drones, and that cancarry up to about five pounds of products. Such a container may besufficient to contain a large portion of the products sold by AMAZON™,such as about 40%, about 60%, about 80% or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the package may be planned to be loadedto a drone at the origin, and taken from the drone or a different droneat the destination. The package may be loaded and unloaded to and fromthe drones by a human. Additionally or alternatively, each drone may beplanned to automatically carry the package on the origin and release itat the destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, additional data regarding the package maybe obtained, such as weight and size of the package, fragility ofobjects within the package, deadline of the delivery, storingtemperature of items within the package, or the like.

On Step 155, a schedule of vehicles may be obtained, similarly to Step115. The vehicles may not be actively participating in the delivery ofthe package. The vehicles may be capable of transporting a dronethereon. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicles may be capable oftransporting the package.

On Step 160, a route may be determined for the delivery of the package.The route may be determined based on the delivery data and the schedule.The route may begin at the origin and end at the destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may comprise a plurality oflegs. Each leg may be a portion of the route starting at a firstwaypoint and ending at a second waypoint.

In each leg of a first portion of the plurality of legs the package maybe planned to be transported by a different drone. In each leg of asecond portion of the plurality of legs the package may be planned to betransported by a different vehicle.

In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of legs may comprise afirst leg, a second leg and a third leg. In the first leg the packagemay be planned to be transported by a first drone to a vehicle. In thesecond leg the package may be planned to be transported by the vehicle.In the third leg the package may be planned to be transported from thevehicle by a second drone. In some exemplary embodiments, the firstdrone and the second drone may be different drones, each of which islocal to a different area. The different drones may be adapted incapabilities for different areas. As an example, the first dronestructure may be adapted to fly in a windy and rainy area, such as byhaving a stronger structure, larger wings, or the like, and accordinglymay consume more energy and fly for limited distances. The second dronemay be adapted to fly in open area, with regular weather, andaccordingly may be planned to fly for longer distances. In someexemplary embodiments, a central planning may be required forco-operation between the different drones and the different vehicles.

Referring now to FIG. 1D showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter.

On Step 170, a drone may pick up a package. In some exemplaryembodiments, the package may be in a delivery process from an origin toa destination. The package may be transported based on a delivery routesuch as the route determined on Step 160.

In some exemplary embodiments, the route may comprises a plurality oflegs. In each leg of a first portion of the plurality of legs, thepackage may be planned to be transported by a different drone from aninitial waypoint to a target waypoint. In each leg of a second portionof the plurality of legs the package may be planned to be transported bya different vehicle. The drone may be configured to pick up the packageat a first initial way point.

On Step 175, the drone may arrive at a target waypoint. In case thevehicle has not yet arrived, the drone may wait at the target waypointthe vehicle. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may fly with thepackage until reaching the target waypoint. In some exemplaryembodiments, the drone may wait at the target waypoint until the vehiclearrives to the target waypoint. The drone may be configured to identifythe arriving vehicle such as described in Step 135 of FIG. 1B.

On Step 185, the drone may deliver the package to a repository of thevehicle. In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may fly and leave thepackage in the vehicle. The package may be transported by the vehicle toa second waypoint.

In some exemplary embodiments, an opening of the repository may belocated on the top of the arriving vehicle, so that the drone may beable to deposit the package thereto. The opening that is adapted in sizeand shape to allow depositing and collecting of a package by a drone. Insome exemplary embodiments, the repository may be adapted for the droneto connect thereto for depositing the package thereon. Additionally oralternatively, the drone may be configured to drop the package on thetop of the repository without landing thereon.

It may be appreciated that the vehicle may not be actively participatingin a delivery system of the package. The vehicle may be performinganother task that is independent from the delivery of the package.

On Step 190, a second drone may wait at the second waypoint to pick upthe package. In some exemplary embodiments, the second drone may pick upthe package at the second way point as described in Step 170. Therepository may be adapted for the second drones to connect thereto forcollecting the package therefrom. In some exemplary embodiments, thesecond drone may be different than the first drone.

Referring now to FIG. 2A showing schematic illustrations of a map, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

A Route 200 may be a route for delivering a package from an origin to adestination using a drone. Route 200 may be determined based on adelivery data of the package and a schedule of a plurality of vehicles,such as buses, trucks, trains, or the like. In some exemplaryembodiments, the schedule may comprise a schedule of each vehicle of theplurality of vehicles. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may becapable of transporting the drone thereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, vehicles of the plurality of vehicles maynot be actively participating in a delivery of the package. Each vehicleof the plurality of vehicles may performing another task that isindependent from the delivery of the package. As an example, one vehiclemay be a bus transporting passengers within a city or between cities. Asanother example, another vehicle may be a delivery truck used for longdistance distribution of goods.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 200 may begin at the origin locatedat Waypoint 210, and end at the destination located at Waypoint 260.Route 200 may comprise a plurality of legs. Each leg may begin at afirst waypoint and end at a second waypoint, where the successive legmay begin. As an example, a first leg of Route 200 may begin at Waypoint210 and end at Waypoint 220. A second leg of Rout 200 may begin atWaypoint 220 and end at Waypoint 230.

In a first portion of the plurality of legs the drone may be planned tofly. In each leg of the first portion of the plurality of legs, thedrone may be planned to fly from an initial waypoint to a targetwaypoint. As an example, the drone may be planned to fly in the firstleg from Waypoint 210 to Waypoint 220, in the third leg from Waypoint230 to Waypoint 240, and in the fifth leg from Waypoint 250 to Waypoint260.

In each leg of a second portion of the plurality of legs the drone mayplanned to ride on a different vehicle. As an example, the drone may beplanned to ride on a truck in the second leg, from Waypoint 220 toWaypoint 230 and in the fourth leg, the drone may be planned to ride ona bus from Waypoint 240 to Waypoint 250.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may be planned to make a stopat a stationary location after flying off from the first vehicle andbefore flying on to the second vehicle. As an example, after flying fromthe truck at Waypoint 230, the drone may make a stop at Location 235,such as for re-charging, for time coordination between the two vehicles,or the like. The drone may be planned to fly again from Location 235 toWaypoint 240 located on the bus. The drone may be planned to fly againafter a predetermined timeframe, such as an hour, 30 minutes, 20minutes, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone may be planned to utilize atleast a portion of the vehicles for charging a power source of thedrone. As an example, charging stations may be located on the vehicles.The drone may be planned to recharge the power source thereof using thecharging stations.

As energy and power may be a limiting factor on drones operatingdistance and duration, Route 200 may be further determined based on theenergy element of the drone. Route 200 may be planned so as to befeasible for the drone in view of energy available to the drone. In someexemplary embodiments, Route 200 may be further determined based on aninitial energy level of a power source of the drone. A maximal lengthand a duration of legs in Route 200 may be determined on the initialenergy level and the distance the drone can fly with such level.Additionally or alternatively, Route 200 may be further determined basedon expected power consumption of the drone at each leg. As an example,during legs that the drone is configured to ride on a vehicle, the dronemay be shut down, or recharged, accordingly, there may be no limitationon such legs. As opposed to legs that the drone is planned to fly, theduration and distance of such legs may be determined based on theexpected power consumption of the drone in these legs. Differentelements may affect the expected power consumption of the drone of eachleg, such as the weight of the package, expected air resistance in thearea the drone is planned to fly in, expected whether, or the like.Additionally or alternatively, Route 200 may be further determined basedon expected charging of the power source at each leg. As an example, theduration of a leg of the first portion may be determined based on theexpected charging of the power source at the preceding leg where thedrone is landing on a vehicle and charging thereon.

Additionally or alternatively, Route 200 may be further determined basedon characteristics of the drone, such as the size and weight of thedrone, the drone power consumption rate, the maximal height the dronecan fly, the degree of autonomy of the drone, or the like. Thesecharacteristics may be important, for example for the drone's cruisingrange, the maximum flight duration, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, Route 200 may be further determined based oncharacteristics of the package, such as the type of payloads (e.g., mailparcels, medicines, fire extinguishing material, flyers, or the like),as the size and weight of the package, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, Route 200 may be further determined based on financialconsideration, such as the cost of utilizing a vehicle in a specificleg. As an example, some vehicles may ask for a compensation for theride thereon, for charging costs, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, Route 200 may be further determined based on trafficconditions during the planned schedule. In location where heavy trafficis predicted during a specific leg of Route 200 that the drone isplanned to ride on a vehicle, the drone may be planned to take off thevehicle to pass the heavy traffic area.

In some exemplary embodiments, the drone landing on a vehicle may changethe height thereof. In some portions of the route, limitations on theheight of the vehicles may apply such as because of driving underbridges of limited heights, driving into tunnels of limited heights, orthe like. Route 200 may be planned such that the total height of thevehicle with the drone landing thereon may not exceed the heightlimitations in such portions. Additionally or alternatively, the dronemay be planned to take off when arriving to a location with a heightlimitation and land back on the vehicle after the height limitation isover.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 200 may be provided to the drone.The drone may deliver the package while performing the plurality oflegs. Route 200 may be provided to an operator of the drone, to anoperation system of the drone, to the delivery system operator, or thelike. The drone may be repeatedly flown in accordance with the firstportion of the plurality of legs. In each leg of the first portion ofthe plurality of legs, the drone may be flown from a first landinglocation to a second landing location. The first landing location may belocated at the initial waypoint of the each leg. The second landinglocation may be located at the target waypoint of the each leg. In someexemplary embodiments, at least one landing location may associated witha vehicle. As an example, a landing location locate at Waypoint 240 maybe associated the bus. The drone may be transported by the bus inaccordance with a leg of the second portion of the plurality of legs,e.g. the fourth leg of Route 200.

Referring now to FIG. 2B showing schematic illustrations of routeschedule, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 200′ may be respective to Route 200presented in FIG. 2A. Route 200′ may represent in addition to thedelivery route represented by Route 200, a delivery schedule of Route200.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 200′ may begin at Waypoint 210′which is respective to the origin located at Waypoint 210 in FIG. 2A.Route 200′ may be planned to begin at 9:40 AM. Route 200′ may end atWaypoint 260′ which is respective to the destination located at Waypoint260 in FIG. 2A. Route 200′ may be planned to begin at 10:45 AM. Route200′ may comprise a plurality of legs. Each leg may begin at a firstwaypoint and end at a second waypoint, where the successive leg maybegin. As an example, a first leg of Route 200′ may begin at Waypoint210′ and end at Waypoint 220′. A second leg of Rout 200′ may begin atWaypoint 220′ and end at Waypoint 230′.

In accordance with Route 200, in a first portion of the plurality oflegs the drone may be planned to fly. In each leg of a second portion ofthe plurality of legs the drone may planned to ride on a differentvehicle.

Namely, in the first leg of Route 200′, Drone 205 may be planned to flyfrom Waypoint 210′ located at Address 212, for about 13 minutes, adistance of 10.14 km. On Waypoint 220′ located at Address 222, Drone 205may be planned to ride on a Vehicle 225 for 20 minutes and get offVehicle 225 on Waypoint 230′ located at Address 232. Drone 205 may beplanned to fly from Waypoint 230′, for about 4 minutes, a distance of3.1 km, until reaching Location 235′. Drone 205 may be planned to landon Location 235′ that is respective to Location 235 for about 5 minutes.Drone 205 may fly for about 6 minutes a distance of 4.8 km, untilreaching Waypoint 240′. On Waypoint 240′ located at Address 242, Drone205 may be planned to ride on Vehicle 245 for 15 minutes. Vehicle 245may be a bus. Drone 205 may be planned to get off the bus at stop number41239, e.g. Waypoint 250′ located at Address 252. Drone 205 may beplanned to fly from Waypoint 250′, for about 2.5 minutes, a distance of1.95 km, until reaching the destination at Waypoint 260′.

Referring now to FIG. 3A showing schematic illustrations of a map, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

A Route 300 may be a route for delivering a package from an origin to adestination. Route 300 may be determined based on a delivery data of thepackage and a schedule of a plurality of vehicles, such as buses,trucks, trains, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the schedulemay comprise a schedule of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles.Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may be capable of transportinga package that is deposited and collected autonomously by one or moreautonomous drones without intervention of the vehicle or person ridingthereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, vehicles of the plurality of vehicles maynot be actively participating in a delivery of the package. Each vehicleof the plurality of vehicles may performing another task that isindependent from the delivery of the package. As an example, one vehiclemay be a train wagon transporting passengers within between cities,another vehicle may be a vehicle-transported container used for storingand transporting goods, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 300 may begin at an origin locatedat Waypoint 310, and end at a destination located at Waypoint 390. Route300 may comprise a plurality of legs. Each leg may begin at a firstwaypoint and end at a second waypoint, where the successive leg maybegin. As an example, a first leg of Route 300 may begin at Waypoint 310and end at Waypoint 320. A second leg of Route 300 may begin at Waypoint320 and end at Waypoint 330.

In some exemplary embodiments, in each leg of a first portion of theplurality of legs the package may be planned to be transported by adifferent drone. Namely, the package may be planned to be transported bya first drone in the first leg, from Waypoint 310 to Waypoint 320. Inthe third leg, the package may be planned to be transported by a seconddrone from Waypoint 330 to Waypoint 340. In the fifth leg, the packagemay be planned to be transported by a third drone from Waypoint 350 toWaypoint 360. In the seventh leg, the package may be planned to betransported by a fourth drone from Waypoint 380 to Waypoint 390.

In each leg of a second portion of the plurality of legs the package mayplanned to be transported on a different vehicle. Namely, in the secondleg, the package may be planned to be transported on a first truck fromWaypoint 320 to Waypoint 330. In the Fourth leg, the package may beplanned to be transported on a first bus from Waypoint 340 to Waypoint350. In the Fourth leg, the package may be planned to be transported ona second bus from Waypoint 370 to Waypoint 380.

Referring now to FIG. 3B showing schematic illustrations of a routeschedule, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 300′ may be respective to Route 300presented in FIG. 3A.

In some exemplary embodiments, Route 300′ may begin at Waypoint 310′which is respective to the origin located at Waypoint 310 in FIG. 3A.Route 300′ may end at Waypoint 380′ which is respective to thedestination located at Waypoint 380 in FIG. 3A. Route 300′ may comprisea plurality of legs. Each leg may begin at a first waypoint and end at asecond waypoint, where the successive leg may begin. As an example, afirst leg of Route 300′ may begin at Waypoint 310′ and end at Waypoint320′. A second leg of Rout 300′ may begin at Waypoint 320′ and end atWaypoint 330′.

In accordance with Route 300, in each leg of a first portion of theplurality of legs the package may be planned to be transported by adifferent drone. In each leg of a second portion of the plurality oflegs the package may planned to be transported on a different vehicle.

Namely, in the first leg of Route 300′, a First Drone 315 may be plannedto transport the package from Waypoint 310′ located at Address 312.First Drone 315 may be planned to fly for about 3 minutes, a distance of330 meters, until reaching Waypoint 320′ located at Address 322. OnWaypoint 320′, First Drone 315 may be planned to deposit the package onVehicle 325. Vehicle 325 may be a truck that is not activelyparticipating in the delivery of the package. The package may be plannedto be located on the top of Vehicle 325 for 14 minutes, from Waypoint320′ to Waypoint 330′. On Waypoint 330′ located at Location 332, aSecond Drone 335 may be planned to collect the package from Vehicle 325.Second Drone 335 may be planned to transport the package from Waypoint330′ to Waypoint 340′. On Waypoint 340′, Second Drone 335 may be plannedto deposit the package on Vehicle 345. Vehicle 345 may be a bus that isnot actively participating in the delivery of the package. The packagemay be planned to be located on the top of Vehicle 335 for 15 minutes,from Waypoint 340′ to Waypoint 350′. On Waypoint 350′ located atLocation 352, a Third Drone 355 may be planned to collect the packagefrom Vehicle 345. Third Drone 355 may be planned to transport thepackage from Waypoint 350′ to Waypoint 360′. On Waypoint 360′, ThirdDrone 355 may be planned to deposit the package on Vehicle 365. Vehicle365 may be a truck that is not actively participating in the delivery ofthe package. The package may be planned to be located on the top ofVehicle 365 for 20 minutes, from Waypoint 360′ to Waypoint 370′. OnWaypoint 370′ located at Location 372, a Fourth Drone 375 may be plannedto collect the package from Vehicle 365. Fourth Drone 375 may be plannedto transport the package from Waypoint 370′ to Waypoint 380′ and deliverthe package at the destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, each different drone may be local to adifferent area. The different drones may be adapted in capabilities forthe different areas. As an example, First Drone 315 may be a drone thatis configured to fly in a mountainous are for a potential significantheight, such as an S1000+™ drone, DJI S900 Spreading Wings Hexacopter,or the like. First Drone 315 may be adapted in capabilities for the areabetween Location 312 and Location 322. First Drone 315 may be configuredto have a stable flight and strong construction in order to be able tofly over mountains. On the other hand, Second Drone 335 may be a dronewith an extended flight time, such as Phantom 4. Second Drone may beadapted to fly for larger distances in areas with no landing locationsavailable.

In some exemplary embodiments, in some legs of the second portion, adrone may ride on a vehicle with the package. As an example, In shortlegs, instead of depositing the package on a vehicle and planning adifferent drone to collect the package, the same drone may be planned toride on the vehicle with the package and transport it to the nextwaypoint. As an example, in an alternative scenario to that shown inFIG. 3B, First Drone 315 may be planned to reach Waypoint 320′ and ridefrom Waypoint 320′ on Vehicle 325 along with the package, instead ofdepositing the package on Vehicle 325. On Waypoint 330′, First Drone 315may be planned to takeoff and fly with the package from Vehicle 325 toWaypoint 340′, instead of Second Drone 335 collecting the package as isshown in FIG. 3B. On Waypoint 340′, First Drone 315 may be planned todeposit the package on Vehicle 345, similarly to the planned operationof Second Drone 335 in FIG. 3B.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a schematic illustration of an exemplaryenvironment in which the disclosed subject matter may be utilized, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Package 420 may be transported by aDrone 410 from an origin to a destination. Drone 410 may be an unmannedaerial vehicle utilized to transport packages, food or other goods.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 410 may be operated by aground-based controller (not shown). Drone 410 and the ground-basedcontroller and may be components of an unmanned aircraft system thatcomprises a system of communications between Drone 410 and theground-based controller. The flight of Drone 410 may operate withvarious degrees of autonomy: either under remote control by a humanoperator or autonomously by onboard computers.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 410 may be configured to transportPackage 420 in accordance with a predetermined route. The predeterminedroute may be determined based on a delivery data of Package 420 and aschedule of plurality of vehicles. The delivery data may comprise theorigin and the destination of Package 420, the weight and size ofPackage 420, or any other information related to the delivery of Package420. The schedule comprises a schedule of each vehicle of the pluralityof vehicles.

In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of vehicles may be vehiclesthat are capable of transporting Drone 410 thereon, such as a Vehicle440 and a Vehicle 430. A landing pad adapted for Drone 410 to landthereon may be placed on the top of each vehicle, such as a Landing pad435 that may be mounted on the top of Vehicle 430 and a Landing pad 445that may be mounted on the top of Vehicle 440.

In some exemplary embodiments, Vehicle 440 and Vehicle 430 may notactively be participating in a delivery of Package 420. Vehicle 440 andVehicle 430 may be performing another task that is independent from thedelivery of Package 420, such as delivery task of other goods,transporting passengers, or the like. As an example, Vehicle 430 may bea bus transporting passengers and deigned to stop in predetermined busstations based on passengers demand, and according to a predeterminedschedule. As another example, Vehicle 440 may be a truck used totransport cooled products. The truck may be configured to travel basedon a predetermined schedule, and stop according to road signs or trafficlights. Transporting Drone 410 by Vehicle 440 and Vehicle 430 may notaffect the travel of Vehicle 440 and Vehicle 430. In some exemplaryembodiments, Drone 410 may be configured to utilize Vehicle 440 and/orVehicle 430 for charging a power source of Drone 410.

In some exemplary embodiments, the predetermined route may begin at theorigin of Package 420 and end at the destination of Package 420. Thepredetermined route may comprise a plurality of legs. Drone 410 may beconfigured to deliver Package 420 while performing the plurality oflegs. In a first portion of the plurality of legs Drone 410 may beplanned to fly and in each leg of a second portion of the plurality oflegs Drone 410 may be planned to ride on a different vehicle.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 410 may fly from a first locationwhile carrying Package 420 to Vehicle 430, in accordance with a firstleg of the predetermined route. When reaching Vehicle 430, Drone 410 mayland on Landing pad 435 and ride thereon, while Vehicle 430 driving froma second location to a third location, in accordance with a second legof the predetermined route. When reaching the third location, Drone 410may get of Vehicle 430 and fly towards Vehicle 440 in accordance with athird leg of the route. When reaching Vehicle 440 at a fourth location,Drone 410 may land on Landing pad 445 and ride thereon, while Vehicle440 driving from the fourth location to a fifth location, in accordancewith a fourth leg of the predetermined route.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 410 may make a stop at a stationarylocation such as Landing Pad 450. Landing Pad 450 may be a staticlanding pad adapted for Drone 410 to land on. Drone 410 may make thestop at Landing Pad 450, after flying off from the Vehicle 430 andbefore flying on to Vehicle 440. Drone 410 may make the stop torecharge, to wait for Vehicle 440, or the like. As an example, Drone 410may be planned to get off at Bus Station 438 to fly to another locationwhere Drone 410 can ride on Vehicle 440. In some cases, Vehicle 430 maynot stop at Bus Station 438, such as if no passengers are waiting in BusStation 438, or if no passengers are getting off Vehicle 430 in BusStation 438. In such a case, Drone 410 may get off Vehicle 430 at itsnext stop, such as at the next bust station, next stop sign, or thelike. Drone 410 may fly to the planned location for riding on Vehicle430. On the other hand, Vehicle 440 may not stop at the plannedlocation, such as in case the driver thereof does not obey to roadsigns. For such a case, a flexible schedule may be determined for Drone410, where Drone 410 can land in Landing Pad 450 to wait for Vehicle 440if necessary.

Additionally or alternatively, Package 420 may be delivered by multipledrones in addition to Drone 410. The multiple drones may be configuredto collect packages from the land, put packages on vehicles, movepackages from one vehicle to another, riding vehicles with the package,making deliveries of packages, or the like. Drone 410 and the additionaldrones may be different drones. Each of drone may be local to adifferent area. Each drone may be adapted in capabilities for thedifferent areas. Vehicle 430 and Vehicle 440 may be capable oftransporting Package 420. Package 420 may be deposited and collectedautonomously by one or more autonomous drones without intervention ofthe vehicle or person riding thereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, an additional drone (not shown) may flyfrom a first location while carrying Package 420 to Vehicle 430, inaccordance with the first leg of the predetermined route. When reachingVehicle 430, the additional drone may deposit Package 420 on Vehicle430, and fly. Package 420 may be transported by Vehicle 430 from thesecond location to the third location, in accordance with the second legof the predetermined route. When reaching the third location, Drone 410may collect Package 420 from Vehicle 430 and fly towards Vehicle 440 inaccordance with the third leg of the route. When reaching Vehicle 440 atthe fourth location, Drone 410 may deposit Package 420 to Vehicle 440and fly. Package 420 may be transported by Vehicle 440 from the fourthlocation to the fifth location, in accordance with the fourth leg of thepredetermined route.

Referring now to FIG. 5A showing a schematic illustration of a vehicleutilized by the disclosed subject matter, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Vehicle 500 may be adapted to transporta Drone 510 thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 510 may bedelivering a Package 515. Vehicle 500 may not be actively participatingin the delivery of Package 515. Vehicle 500 may be performing anothertask that is not related to the delivery of Package 515, such aspublicly transporting passengers, private driving, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Landing Pad 520 may be located on a topof Vehicle 500. Landing Pad 520 may be adapted in size and shape toallow drones such as Drone 510 to land thereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, Landing Pad 520 may comprise an openingto a package repository (not shown). The package repository may beadapted in size and shape to retain a plurality of packages similar toPackage 515. The package repository may be configured to store packagesdeposited by drones landing on Landing Pad 520 via the opening.

In some exemplary embodiments, Landing Pad 520 may be selectivelymountable on Vehicle 500. Landing Pad 520 may be removable from Vehicle500.

In some exemplary embodiments, Vehicle 500 may be designed to have aDriver Cabin 540 that is separated from a Cargo Area 520. Driver Cabin540 may be an enclosed space where a driver of Vehicle 500 is seated.Driver Cabin 540 may be an integrated irremovable part of Vehicle 500.Cargo Area 520 may be an area for placing cargo or equipment in Vehicle500. Cargo Area 520 may be removable from Vehicle 500. Additionally oralternatively, Cargo Area 520 may be an open load ben having no-roof.

In some exemplary embodiments, Landing Pad 520 may be located on a topof Driver Cabin 540. The driver of Vehicle 500 may or may not have anaccess to Landing Pad 520. Drone 510 may be configured to land onLanding Pad 520, regardless of Cargo Area 520 that may not necessarilybe a permanent part of Vehicle 500′.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 510 may be identified by LandingPad 520 or by the driver of Vehicle 500, and given a permission to landor handle packages. After being identified, Drone 510 may land onLanding Pad 520 and take a ride on Vehicle 500. Additionally oralternatively, Drone 510 may deposit Package 515 on Landing Pad 520.Package 515 may be transferred into a package repository attached toLanding Pad 520, or to Driver Cabin 540 where it may be handled by thedriver. Package 515 may be delivered to its destination by Vehicle 500,collected by a different drone from Landing Pad 520, or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, Landing Pad 520 may be located on CargoArea 520. In some exemplary embodiments, the total height of Cargo Area520 when Landing Pad 520 is mounted thereon, may not exceed apredetermined height threshold defined by a structure of Vehicle 500 orCargo Area 520.

Referring now to FIG. 5B showing a schematic illustration of a vehicleutilized by the disclosed subject matter, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Vehicle 501 may be a capable oftransporting a package that is deposited and collected autonomously byone or more autonomous drones, without intervention of Vehicle 501 or aperson riding thereon. As an example, Vehicle 501 may be capable oftransporting Package 515 carried by Drone 510.

In some exemplary embodiments, Vehicle 501 may comprise a Driver Cabin540 that is separated from a Cargo Compartment 550. Cargo Compartment550 may be similar to Cargo Area 520 of FIG. 5A. Additionally oralternatively, Cargo Compartment 550 may be a vehicle-transportedcontainer that may be transported with Vehicle 501 or other vehicles.Cargo Compartment 550 may be designed to be separated from Vehicle 501,to be transported by additional vehicles, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Repository 560 may utilized to retainpackages transported by Vehicle 501, after being deposited and beforebeing collected autonomously by the one or more autonomous drones.Repository 560 may be mounted on the top of Driver Cabin 540. In someexemplary embodiments, Repository 560 may comprise an Opening 565.Opening 565 may be adapted in size and shape to allow depositing andcollecting of a package by a drone, similar to Drone 510. Additionallyor alternatively, Repository 560 may comprise a Storage Compartment 568.Compartment 568 may be adapted in size and shape to retain a pluralityof packages, similar to Package 515. Storage Compartment 568 may beconfigured to store packages deposited via Opening 565.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 560 may comprise an opening(not shown) to Driver Cabin 540. A driver of Vehicle 501 may have accessthrough the opening to packages stored by Repository 560.

It may be appreciated that Repository 560 may be selectively mountableon and removable from Vehicle 501.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 560 may replace a windshieldof Driver Cabin 540. Repository 560 may protect Vehicle 501 occupantsfrom wind and flying debris such as dust, insects, and rocks, andprovide an aerodynamically formed window towards the front.

Referring now to FIG. 5C showing a schematic illustration of a vehicleutilized by the disclosed subject matter, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

In some exemplary embodiments, Vehicle 502 may be a vehicle transportinga Container 570. Vehicle 502 may comprise a Driver Cabin 540 that isseparated from Container 570. Container 570 may be a vehicle-transportedcontainer that may be transported with Vehicle 502 or other vehicles.Container 570 may also be used across different modes of transport, suchas ships, rails, or the like, without unloading and reloading theircargo. Container 570 may be used to store and transport materials andproducts efficiently and securely in global transport use, in regionaluse, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, Container 570 may comprise a ContainerCompartment 580. Container Compartment 580 may be used to store theoriginal cargo of Container 580.

In some exemplary embodiments, Container 570 may comprise a Repository590. Repository 590 may be mounted on the top of Container Compartment580.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 590 may comprise an Opening595. Opening 595 may be adapted in size and shape to allow depositingand collecting of a package by a drone, similar to Drone 510. Opening595 may be located on a top of Repository 590 to allow the drone tocollect or deposit the package from the top of Vehicle 501.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 590 may comprise a StorageCompartment 598. Storage Compartment 598 may be adapted in size andshape to retain a plurality of packages, similar to Package 515. StorageCompartment 598 may be configured to store packages deposited viaOpening 595.

It may be appreciated that Repository 590 may be selectively mountableon and removable from Container 570 or permanently integrated withContainer 570.

In some exemplary embodiments, a height of Container 570 may not exceeda predetermined height threshold defined by a structure of Vehicle 502.As an example, Vehicle 502 may be designed to transport high-cubecontainers of a fixed size of 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m). Additionally oralternatively, a total height of Container 570 may be of a standardheight of a standard vehicle-transported container. In such a case,Container Compartment 580 may be of a height below a standard height ofa container compartment of the standard vehicle-transported container.Such that Container Compartment 580 with Repository 590 mounted thereabove, will not exceed the standard height of a standardvehicle-transported container.

Referring now to FIG. 6A showing a schematic illustration of arepository, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

A Repository 600 may be a vehicle-associated package repository.Repository 600 may be transported by a Vehicle 605. Vehicle 605 may be amotor vehicle designed to transport cargo, such as a truck. Repository600 may be mounted on Vehicle 605, integrated with Vehicle 605, carriedby Vehicle 605, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 600 may be utilized forautomatic storage of packages. The storage facility may be adapted fordrones, such as Drone 610, to connect thereto for collecting ordepositing of packages thereon.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 600 may comprise an Opening620. Opening 620 may be adapted in size and shape to allow depositingand collecting of a package by a Drone 610, such as Package 615. As anexample, packages carried by drones are of a size of about 50 cm×50cm×50 cm and a weight of about 3 kg. In some exemplary embodiments,Opening 620 may be located on a top of Repository 600, in order to allowdrones such as Drone 610 to collect or deposit the package from the topof Vehicle 605.

In some exemplary embodiments, Opening 620 may be configured to operateas a landing pad for drones like Drone 610, while waiting to collect apackage or before depositing a package. Additionally or alternatively,drones like Drone 610 may not ride on Vehicle 605, and accordingly maynot land on Repository 600.

In some exemplary embodiments, a Storage Compartment 650 may be locatedin an inner part of Repository 600. As an example, Storage Compartment650 may be located inside the cargo are of Vehicle 605, inside acontainer transported by Vehicle 605, or the like. Storage Compartment650 may be adapted in size and shape to retain a plurality of packages,such as Package 615 and Package 625. Storage Compartment 650 may beconfigured to store packages deposited via said Opening 620, such asPackage 615.

It may be appreciated that an Original Storage Compartment 608 ofVehicle 605 may be utilized for the original task of Vehicle 605.Original Storage Compartment 608 may be separated from StorageCompartment 650.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 600 may comprise adisplacement component, such as a Handle 630. Handle 630 may be adaptedin size and shape to move one or more packages from Opening 620 toStorage Compartment 650 upon package deposit. Handle 630 may be adaptedin size and shape to move one or more packages from Storage Compartment650 to Opening 620 upon package collection. Additionally oralternatively, the displacement component may be positioned withinStorage Compartment 650, or other parts of Repository 600, and may beutilized to collect packages dropped via Opening 620 from drones, or topass packages towards Opening 620, collect packages from Handle 630,provide packages to Handle 630, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, packages within Repository 600 may bemoved on a Conveyor Belt 640. Conveyor Belt 640 may move in a loopinside Storage Compartment 650 and collect packages provided to StorageCompartment 650 by Handle 630, provide packages from Storage Compartment650 to Handle 630 in order to be returned back to Opening 620, or thelike. Additionally or alternatively, Conveyor Belt 640 may operatewithout Handle 630. Packages may be dropped via Opening 620 directly onConveyor Belt 640 and move into Storage Compartment 650.

Additionally or alternatively, Conveyor Belt 640 may replace StorageCompartment 650, or be an integrated portion thereof.

In some exemplary embodiments, Drone 610 may arrive to Repository 600and identify itself. A component of Repository 600, such as a reader inOpening 620 (not shown), Handle 630, or the like, may be configured toidentify Drone 610 or Package 615, and permit depositing Package 615 inRepository 600. Additionally or alternatively, Drone 610 may beconfigured to identify Vehicle 605 instead of or in addition toRepository 600. Drone 610 may deposit Package 615 via Opening 620, byhanding it to Handle 630, by placing it on Conveyor Belt 640 or anyother displacement component of Repository 600. In some exemplaryembodiments, Handle 630 may move Package 615 to Storage Compartment 650,where Package 615 can be stored until being collected by a differentdrone.

Additionally or alternatively, Drone 610 or a different drone may arriveto Repository 600 and identify itself. A component of Repository 600 maybe configured to identify Drone 610, and recognize which package fromthe packages stored in Repository 600 may be delivered thereto, such asPackage 625. Package 625 may be moved from Storage Compartment 650 onConveyor Belt 640 and to be provided to Opening 620 such as by Handle630. When Package 625 arriving to Opening 620, Drone 610 may beconfigured to identify Package 625 and collect it.

In some exemplary embodiments, additional displacement methods may beused to move packages within Repository 600. As an example, anautonomous robot may take the package and move it to the designatedlocation within Storage Compartment 650.

As another example, in case a drone is identified to be permitted tocollect a package, such as Package 625, the displacement component maypass Package 625 from Storage Compartment 650 to Opening 620, wherebythe drone can collect Package 625 from the opening. In some cases,Conveyor Belt 640 may move Package 625 towards Handle 630. Handle 630may collect Package 625 from Conveyor Belt 640 and handle it to thedrone. Additionally or alternatively, Conveyor Belt 640 may move Package625 until Package 625 being below Opening 620. A portion of ConveyorBelt 640 that is carrying Package 625 may go higher until reachingOpening 620, whereby the drone can collect Package 625 therefrom.

In some exemplary embodiments, Repository 600 may not include any movingmechanical parts. Repository 600 may comprise an array of slots that canretain the packages, and are accessible to the drones, such as fromabove. The drone may fit inside a cell that is designated for thepackage and deposit the package directly in the cell. When a dronewishes to collect a package, it may similarly access the relevant celldirectly to pick up the package.

Referring now to FIG. 6B showing a schematic illustration of arepository, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

A Mountable Repository 600′ may be a mountable vehicle-associatedpackage repository for automatic storage of packages. MountableRepository 600′ may be adapted for drones to connect thereto forcollecting or depositing of packages thereon. In some exemplaryembodiments, Mountable Repository 600′ may be constructed as anextension to be mounted on a top of a vehicle in order to store packagestherein. Mountable Repository 600′ may be designated to be transportedby a vehicle, to be selectively mountable on a vehicle, to be mounted ona vehicle-transported container, or the like. Mountable Repository 600′may be removable from the vehicle.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more Mounting Means 660 may beutilized to attach Mountable Repository 600′ to the vehicle.

In some exemplary embodiments, Mountable Repository 600′ may beconfigured to be mounted on a cargo area of a vehicle. In otherexemplary embodiments, Mountable Repository 600′ may be configured to bemountable on a driver cabin of a vehicle, on a removable containercarried by a vehicle, or the like. (Such as depicted in FIGS. 5B-5C). Itmay be appreciated that a height of Mountable Repository 600′, whenmounted on a vehicle, may not exceed a predetermined height thresholddefined by a structure of the vehicle.

Mountable Repository 600′ may be adapted to retain packages of limitedsize, such as of size up to 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm, 50 cm×50 cm×50 cm, 70cm×70 cm×70 cm, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, MountableRepository 600′ may be further used as a landing pad of drones.Additionally or alternatively, a landing pad may be placed on the top ofthe Mountable Repository 600′.

In some exemplary embodiments, Mountable Repository 600′ may be designedto be relatively flat in order to minimize the potential adverse effecton the vehicle's aerodynamics.

Additionally or alternatively, Mountable Repository 600′ may bedesignated to be integrated in a vehicle-transported container. Thevehicle-transported container may be used as a transport and storageunit for moving products and raw materials between locations orcountries. The vehicle-transported container may comprise, in additionto Repository 600′, a container compartment. The container compartmentmay be used for the original task of the vehicle-transported container,and may or may not be related to Repository 600′. In some exemplaryembodiments, Repository 600′ may be positioned above the containercompartment. A total height of the vehicle-transported container may beof a standard height of a standard vehicle-transported container, suchas 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) for regular containers and 9 feet 6 inches(2.9 m) for High Cube containers. Additionally or alternatively, thecontainer compartment may be of a height below a standard height of acontainer compartment of the standard vehicle-transported container.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for a delivery of a package from anorigin to a destination, wherein the method comprises: transporting thepackage in a first leg of a route to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle iscapable of transporting the package that is deposited and collectedautonomously by one or more drones, wherein said transporting thepackage in the first leg is performed by a first drone; transporting thepackage in a second leg of the route, independently of any drone,wherein said transporting the package in the second leg is performed bythe vehicle; and transporting the package in a third leg, from thevehicle, wherein said transporting the package in the third leg isperformed by a second drone.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstdrone and the second drone are different drones, wherein each differentdrone is local to a different area.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe different drones are adapted in capabilities to the different areas.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first drone and the second droneare not transported by the vehicle during the second leg.
 5. The methodof claim 1, which further comprises: transporting the package in afourth leg of the route, wherein said transporting the package in thefourth leg is performed by a second vehicle independently of any drone,wherein the second vehicle is capable of transporting the package thatis deposited and collected autonomously by one or more autonomous droneswithout intervention of the second vehicle or person riding thereon,wherein the second vehicle is not actively participating in a deliveryof the package; and transporting the package in a fifth leg of theroute, from the second vehicle, by a third drone, wherein saidtransporting the package in the third leg comprises transporting thepackage from the vehicle to the second vehicle.
 6. A system fordelivering a package from an origin to a destination using drones,wherein the system comprises: a plurality of drones, wherein theplurality of drones comprises a first drone and a second drone; aplanning unit, wherein said planning unit is configured to: determine,based on a schedule of a plurality of vehicles, a route for deliveringthe package, wherein the schedule comprises a schedule of each vehicleof the plurality of vehicles, wherein each vehicle of the plurality ofvehicles is capable of transporting a package that is deposited andcollected autonomously by one or more autonomous drones withoutintervention of the vehicle or person riding thereon, wherein vehiclesof the plurality of vehicles are not actively participating in adelivery of the package, wherein each vehicle of the plurality ofvehicles is performing another task that is independent from thedelivery of the package; wherein the route begins at the origin, whereinthe route ends at the destination; wherein the route comprises aplurality of legs, wherein the plurality of legs comprises a first leg,a second leg and a third leg, wherein in the first leg, the package isplanned to be transported by said first drone to a vehicle, wherein inthe second leg, the package is planned to be transported on the vehicle,independently of any drone, and wherein in the third leg, the package isplanned to be transported from the vehicle by said second drone.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein said first drone and said second drone aredifferent drones, wherein each different drone is local to a differentarea.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the different drones are adaptedin capabilities for the different areas.
 9. The system of claim 6, whichfurther comprises an execution unit configured to execute transportingthe package in accordance with the route, wherein said execution unit isconfigured to: operate said first drone to transport the package in thefirst leg to the vehicle; monitor the package while being transported onthe vehicle in the second leg; and operate the second drone to transportthe package from the vehicle in the third leg.
 10. The system of claim6, wherein the vehicle comprising a vehicle-associated packagerepository, wherein the vehicle-associated package repositorycomprising: an opening, wherein the opening is adapted in size and shapeto allow depositing and collecting of a package by a drone; and astorage compartment, wherein said storage compartment is adapted in sizeand shape to retain a plurality of packages, wherein the storagecompartment is configured to store packages deposited via the opening.11. The system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of drones comprises athird drone; wherein the plurality of legs further comprises a fourthleg and a fifth leg; wherein in the third leg, the package is planned tobe transported by said second drone from the vehicle to a secondvehicle; wherein in the fourth leg, the package is planned to betransported on the second vehicle, independently of any drone; andwherein in the fifth leg, the package is planned to be transported fromthe second vehicle by said third drone.
 12. A vehicle-associated packagerepository, comprising: an opening, wherein said opening is adapted insize and shape to allow depositing and collecting of a package by adrone; and a storage compartment, wherein said storage compartment isadapted in size and shape to retain a plurality of packages, whereinsaid storage compartment is configured to store packages deposited bythe drone via said opening; wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is transported by a vehicle.
 13. The vehicle-associatedpackage repository of claim 12 further comprising: a displacementcomponent, wherein said displacement component is adapted in size andshape to move one or more packages from said opening to said storagecompartment upon package deposit, and from said storage compartment tosaid opening upon package collection.
 14. The vehicle-associated packagerepository of claim 12, wherein said opening is located on a top of thevehicle-associated package repository, whereby allowing the drone tocollect or deposit the package from the top of the vehicle, when saidvehicle-associated package repository is mounted on or integrated withthe vehicle.
 15. The vehicle-associated package repository of claim 12,wherein said vehicle-associated package repository is selectivelymountable on the vehicle, wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is removable from the vehicle.
 16. The vehicle-associatedpackage repository of claim 15, wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is mountable on a part of the vehicle selected from the groupconsisting of: a driver cabin of the vehicle, a cargo area of thevehicle and a removable container carried by the vehicle.
 17. Thevehicle-associated package repository of claim 12 wherein a height ofsaid vehicle-associated package repository, when mounted on the vehicle,does not exceed a predetermined height threshold defined by a structureof the vehicle.
 18. The vehicle comprising said vehicle-associatedpackage repository of claim 12, wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is integrated with said vehicle.
 19. A vehicle-transportedcontainer comprising said vehicle-associated package repository of claim12 and a container compartment, wherein said vehicle-associated packagerepository is integrated with said vehicle-transported container. 20.The vehicle-transported container of claim 19, wherein saidvehicle-associated package repository is positioned above said containercompartment, wherein a total height of said vehicle-transportedcontainer is of a standard height of a standard vehicle-transportedcontainer, wherein the container compartment is of a height below astandard height of a container compartment of the standardvehicle-transported container.